MASTERMIND lost the plot years ago. Last week's episode was a classic example with contestants answering questions on Ancient Egypt (1570-1070 BC), the libretti of WS Gilbert, the history of liquors and - the Clash.

At last, something worth knowing.

Having scored 12, Chris Barber had to undergo some brusque banter from Radio 4's political interrogator-in-chief John Humphrys (pictured). "So the Clash were of the punk era but not really punk?" Humphrys demanded - his idea of small talk.

He ignored Barber rambling on about the Clash's music but got his own back by making him answer a general knowledge question on the Police.

Parents of contestants on Junior Mastermind should, like Humphrys, be ashamed of themselves. Sounding like an inquisitor from Guantanamo Bay, Humphrys tried making (junior) small talk with precocious brats tackling such grandiose specialist subjects as Tutankhamen, the Artemis Fowl novels, Winston Churchill and - The Vicar Of Dibley.